Pools Arrangement

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a pool arrangement ( 1 ) preferably filled with water and consisting of a first pool ( 10 ) embodied in the form of a swimming pool ( 11 ) and provided with a first side wall ( 12 ), a first bottom ( 13 ) and a first edge ( 14 ) thereof and of at least one second pool ( 20 ) embodied in the form of a filtering pool and provided with a second side wall ( 22 ), a second bottom ( 23 ) and a second edge ( 24 ) thereof, wherein at least one pool ( 10, 20 ) comprises at least one water discharge orifice ( 32 ) and at least one pool ( 10, 20 ) comprises at least one water supply orifice ( 33 ). For operating in winter season, said filtering pool ( 21 ) comprises at least one water discharge orifice ( 32 ) and at least one water supply orifice ( 33 ) which are connected to each other and remotely located from each other.

The invention relates to a pools arrangement, preferably filled with water, with at least one first pool embodied in the form of a swimming pool and having a first side wall, a first bottom and a first pool edge, and with at least one second pool embodied in the form of a filtering pool and having a second side wall, a second bottom and a second pool edge, at least one of the pools having at least one water discharge orifice or overflow system and at least one of the pools having at least one water supply orifice.

Pool arrangements are known in which two adjacent pools with a partition wall have a common water level which lies above the partition wall, the water above the partition wall being drawn from the swimming pool and supplied to the filtering pool. The cleaned water is returned to the swimming pool, passing over the partition wall. The disadvantage of such an arrangement is that the water must be lowered below the partition wall in order to achieve a separation between the two pools.

It is therefore the object of the invention to indicate a pools arrangement of the type mentioned herein above by means of which the drawbacks mentioned can be avoided and in which the pools can be readily separated, preferably by lowering the water level and in which differing water levels in the discrete pools can be readily equalized. Another object is to allow for swimming pool independent, energy-saving operation of the filtering pool in winter.

In accordance with the invention, this is achieved in that the at least one swimming pool and the at least one filtering pool are connected to at least one connecting device, said connecting device having no delivering means such as pumps or suction devices in particular, said at least one swimming pool and said at least one filtering pool being configured to be vessels communicating by means of said connecting device and being intended to be filled with water surfaces having the same level.

Pools arrangements are thus provided that may be separated easily by lowering the water, the orifices being not clogged by sinking sediments or objects. Further, the water level of the pools can be equalized or balanced easily.

In an improved implementation of the invention, there may be provided that the connecting device comprises at least one first orifice and that said first orifice is disposed in the first side wall in order to prevent said first orifice from becoming clogged or the through flow from being reduced by deposits.

In this context there may be provided that the at least one connecting device comprises at least one second orifice disposed in the filtering pool, said first orifice lying beneath the lowest level of the second pool edge and the second orifice beneath the lowest level of the first pool edge. As a result, it is ensured, in terms of construction, that the pools of the pools arrangement are communicating vessels suited to form water surfaces on a common level.

In a developed implementation of the invention, there may be provided that the first orifice is disposed above the lowest level of the first bottom, at more than 10%, preferably more than 30%, more specifically more than 50%, above all more than 70% of the vertical distance between the lowest level of the first pool edge and the lowest level of the first bottom. As a result, the swimming pool is connected to the filtering pool up to a certain minimum level, this allowing making certain that the swimming pool and the filtering pool have their water surfaces on the same level up to a minimum level that may be prescribed. This makes it possible to intentionally separate the pools by consciously lowering the water level in one of the pools, if desired, so for example during swimming pool independent and accordingly energy-saving recirculation in the filtering pool in winter.

In this context there may be provided, in a developed implementation of the invention, that the connecting device be configured to be a connecting pipe and/or a passageway. This constitutes a particularly simple implementation of the connecting device in terms of construction.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there may be provided that the connecting device comprises at least one sealing means. As a result, the pools may be readily isolated without having to lower the water level. This represents an advantage mainly for achieving swimming pool independent and, as a result thereof, energy-saving water recirculation in the filtering pool in winter.

The invention further relates to a pools arrangement of the type mentioned herein above.

Pools arrangements with a swimming pool and a filtering or clarifying pool are known in which the one pool lies on a higher level than the other one. Swimming pool and clarifying pool do not have a common water level. Instead, the water level of the clarifying pool is much higher than the water level of the swimming pool or vice versa. Also, the pool edge of the swimming pool lies at least partially significantly above the level of the highest portion of the pool edge of the filtering pool, or vice versa. Water is drawn from the swimming pool and supplied to the clarifying pool, using a skimmer for sucking the surface off, or vice versa. The water spills over the pool edge of the higher pool and returns to the lower pool. Such an arrangement makes it more difficult to arrange a common roofing or covering over the two pools.

Further pools arrangements of the type described are known, in which the two pools are disposed separately in terms of construction. The disadvantage of such type pools arrangements is further that they are of a very complex construction and need a lot of space. Further, such pools located on different levels can only be roofed or covered together with major construction expense.

It is therefore the object of the invention to indicate a pools arrangement of the type mentioned herein above by means of which the disadvantages mentioned can be avoided, which has a simple and space-saving configuration, that promotes common covering or roofing of the swimming pool and the filtering pool and facilitates operation of at least the filtering pool in winter.

In accordance with the invention, this is achieved in that the at least one swimming pool is disposed adjacent the at least one filtering pool, the highest region of the first pool edge being substantially on the same level as the highest region of the second pool edge, or that one of the pools is surrounded by another one of the pools, said swimming pool comprising an overflow system into the filtering pool and/or the filtering pool comprising an overflow system into the swimming pool, each of the water discharge orifices being disposed beneath the lowest region of the overflow system.

This allows a simple and compact construction of the pools arrangement. By having the pool edge on the same level, covering of the entire pools arrangement is promoted. Common covering of the swimming pool and of the filtering pool combines into one unit protection from dirt of the swimming pool and protection from cold of the filtering pool.

The provisions proposed further permit to provide a pools arrangement in which the filtering pool is completely surrounded by the swimming pool, or vice versa. A particularly advantageous implementation is thus achieved in terms of fluid flow, in which a very efficient and uniform cleaning of the surface as well as a particularly uniform flow through the filter body supplied from all parts with water to be cleaned is realized.

In this context, there may be provided that a mechanical filter, preferably a sieve, is associated with the overflow system. A filter in the overflow system helps readily and advantageously to clean the water from coarse impurities that would otherwise deposit as sediments in the filtering pool and cover the biological filter.

The invention further relates to a pools arrangement of the type mentioned herein above.

Swimming pools are known, which are cleaned or clarified by recirculating the water through a biological filtering pool, said water recirculation being usually only in operation in the warm seasons for reasons of costs.

The disadvantage of such an arrangement is that in the cold seasons, that is in autumn and in winter, recirculation and as a result the flow through the biological filter is stopped. As a result, the aerobic bacteriological cultures in the filter body die or are converted into anaerobic biomass, considerably impairing the filtering effect in the following bathing season. This results in increased formation of algae in the swimming pool at the beginning of the next bathing season.

It is therefore the object of the invention to indicate a pools arrangement of the type mentioned herein above, by means of which the disadvantages mentioned may be avoided and that allows for easy winter operation of the filtering pool, mainly of a biological filtering pool, with the biological filter body remaining alive and operative.

In accordance with the invention, this is achieved in that the at least one filtering pool comprises at least one water discharge orifice and at least one water supply orifice, said water discharge orifice and said water supply orifice being connected together and spaced apart, and that said water discharge orifice and said water supply orifice are part of a circuit only concerning the water of the filtering pool.

As a result, the water can be recirculated in a filtering pool without any participation of a swimming pool. As a result, water circulation may be maintained at low cost throughout the winter, said water circulation only concerning the filtering pool, which may be kept alive irrespective of the swimming pool, so that there will be no increased formation of algae in the swimming pool in spring or summer. A circulation pump for circulating the water in the filter pool only may further be utilized, said pump being much smaller and operating at lower current than the pump needed for circulating the water in the swimming pool. Accordingly, operation of the filtering pool throughout the winter is lower in cost than the operation of the entire pool arrangement.

In this context, in a pools arrangement of the invention, there may be provided that the at least one swimming pool and the at least one filtering pool be connected to at least one connecting device, said connecting device having no delivering means such as pumps or suckers in particular, said at least one swimming pool and said at least one filtering pool being configured to be vessels communicating by means of said connecting device and being intended to be filled with water surfaces having the same level. Pools arrangements are thus provided, that may be separated easily by lowering the water, the orifices being not clogged by sinking sediments or objects. Further, the water level of the pools can be equalized or balanced easily.

In a developed implementation of the invention, there may be provided that the at least one swimming pool is disposed adjacent the at least one filtering pool, the highest region of the first pool edge lying substantially on the same level as the highest region of the second pool edge or that one of the pools is surrounded by another one of the pools, said swimming pool comprising an overflow system into the filtering pool and/or the filtering pool comprising an overflow system into the swimming pool, each of the water discharge orifices being disposed beneath the lowest region of the overflow system. This allows a simple and compact construction of the pools arrangement. By having the pool edge on the same level, covering of the entire pools arrangement is promoted. Such a common covering of the swimming pool and of the filtering pool combines into one unit the functions of protecting from dirt the swimming pool and of protecting from cold the filtering pool. The provisions proposed further permit to provide a pools arrangement in which the filtering pool is completely surrounded by the swimming pool, or vice versa. A particularly advantageous implementation is thus achieved in terms of fluid flow, in which a very efficient and uniform cleaning of the surface as well as a particularly uniform flow through the filter body supplied from all parts with water to be cleaned is realized.

In this context, there may be provided, in a developed implementation of the invention, that the at least one water discharge orifice, which is connected to the at least one water supply orifice of the filtering pool, is disposed in the upper half of the filtering pool, preferably in the upper third of the filtering pool, more specifically directly beneath the water surface. As a result, the water is pumped off as far away from the filter as possible, where it should be most contaminated.

According to another embodiment of the invention there may be provided that the at least one water supply orifice, which is connected to the at least one water discharge orifice of the filtering pool, is disposed in the region of a filter body disposed in the filtering pool, more specifically in the lower part of said filter body, preferably in the region of the bottom of the filter body. As a result, the water to be cleaned is directly supplied to the filter body. As a result, a particularly uniform flow through the filter body and a vertical flow through the filter body from the bottom upward are achieved.

In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, there may be provided that the water discharge orifice and/or the water supply orifice, which are communicating, are formed by orifices in the side walls of the filtering pool. These orifices are not prone to clogging through sediment deposits.

A variant of the invention may consist in that at least one filtering pool pump is associated with the communicating water discharge orifice and water supply orifice, said filtering pool pump being provided for forming a water circuit concerning the filtering pool only. A water circuit that may be prescribed and controlled may thus be readily maintained, only using a low-performance and low-current pump. As a result, water circulation in the filtering pool is much more energy saving in winter than operation of the pools arrangement in summer.

In another implementation of the invention, there may be provided that the filtering pool pump is disposed in the filtering pool. This is a simple and easy-to-maintain arrangement of the filtering pool pump.

In a developed implementation of the invention, there may be provided that the filtering pool comprises a cover. This permits minimizing heat loss as well as evaporation across the surface.

Another possible embodiment may consist in disposing in the filtering pool a shaft forming an additional hollow space. Such a shaft is for example suited for accommodating a filtering pool pump or for receiving sinking sediments.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there may be provided that the filtering pool or the communicating water discharge and supply orifices comprise a heating element and/or a heat exchanger. As a result, additional heat may be supplied to the water of the filtering pool and the water in the filtering pool may be kept at a temperature favoring the survival of the biological filter even at very low ambient temperatures.

A variant of the invention may consist in that means for drawing the water from the filtering pool and/or from the swimming pool and means for supplying the drawn water to the filtering pool and/or the swimming pool are provided. As a result, water exchange between the filtering pool and the swimming pool is ensured.

In another implementation of the invention, there may be provided that the at least one water discharge opening is disposed in the side wail of the filtering pool and/or of the swimming pool. As a result, this orifice is not prone to clogging through sediment deposits.

In a developed implementation of the invention, there may be provided that the at least one water supply opening is disposed in the side wall of the filtering pool and/or of the swimming pool. As a result, this orifice is not prone to clogging through sediment deposits.

Another possible embodiment may consist in that the means for drawing the water and/or the means for supplying the drawn water comprise at least one swimming pool pump. A water circuit that may be prescribed and controlled may thus be readily maintained.

According to another implementation of the invention, there may be provided that at least two adjacent pools, preferably one swimming pool and one filtering pool, are disposed together in a monolithic pool, at least one partition wall being interposed between the pools. Such type monolithic pools constitute a simple and compact construction of a pools arrangement of the invention.

The invention relates further to a pools arrangement of the type mentioned herein above.

It is known to protect swimming pools against impurities by means of a tarpaulin or of a roller-blind cover floating on the surface of the swimming pool.

The disadvantage of such type tarpaulins or roller blind covers is that they only protect the swimming pool, which they protect from impurities only.

It is therefore the object of the invention to indicate a pools arrangement of the type mentioned herein above by means of which the drawbacks mentioned can be avoided and in which a swimming pool as well as a filtering pool connected thereto are protected from excess evaporation or from water supply through rain as well as from cooling.

This is achieved, in accordance with the invention, in that the at least one swimming pool and the at least one filtering pool comprise a common cover and/or a common rooting.

A cover for both the swimming pool and the filtering pool combines in one unit the functions of protecting the swimming pool from impurities and of protecting the filtering pool from cold. As a result, both the filtering pool and the swimming pool can be protected from excess changes in the water level through evaporation or rain for example, as well as from cooling. The pools are further protected from impurities, which may mainly impair operation of the filtering pool.

The invention further relates to a method of operating a pools arrangement filled with water, comprising at least one swimming pool and at least one filtering pool, preferably in a pools arrangement of the invention, at ambient and/or water temperatures in at least one of the pools of less than 10° C., preferably of less than 6° C., more specifically of less than 3° C., mainly of less than 0° C.

Swimming pools are known, which are cleaned or clarified by means of a biological filtering pool. Such type swimming pools are usually operated at ambient temperatures, which are also suited for allowing the biological filter to survive.

The disadvantage of such an arrangement is that at the end of a bathing season, in autumn, the circulation of the swimming pool water through the biological filter is stopped, so that there is no longer any through flow through said filter. As a result, the aerobic bacteriological cultures in the filter body die or are converted into anaerobic biomass, this meaning that the filter effect will be considerably impaired in the next bathing season. This results in increased formation of algae in the swimming pool at the beginning of the next bathing season.

It is therefore the object of the invention to indicate a method of operating a pools arrangement of the type mentioned by means of which the drawbacks mentioned may be avoided and by means of which a filtering pool may be operated at low temperatures in a simple and cost saving manner, with the biological filter body remaining alive and operative.

In accordance with the invention, this is achieved in that the exchange of water between the at least one swimming pool and the at least one filtering pool is stopped, more specifically by means of a sealing means, that a circuit is formed that only concerns the water of the filtering pool and that the water is circulated in the filtering pool.

As a result, a filtering pool, mainly a biological filter in a filtering pool, may be kept alive throughout winter, irrespective of the swimming pool.

In a developed implementation of the invention, there may be provided that heat be supplied to the water of the filtering pool and/or to the water of the circuit concerning the filtering pool. As a result, the filtering pool may be operated at very low ambient temperatures or during long periods of cold.

The invention will be described in closer detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which show particularly preferred embodiments. In said drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a pools arrangement of the invention as set forth in patent claim 1;

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of a pools arrangement as set forth in patent claim 1;

FIG. 3 shows a pools arrangement of the invention as set forth in patent claim 6;

FIG. 4 shows the filtering pool of a pools arrangement as set forth in patent claim 8;

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a pools arrangement configured in the shape of a monolithic pool;

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a pools arrangement configured in the shape of a monolithic pool;

FIG. 7 shows another pools arrangement as set forth in patent claim 6 in a plan view;

FIG. 8 is a profile view of a pools arrangement as shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of another pools arrangement as set forth in patent claim 6; and

FIG. 10 is a profile view of a pools arrangement shown in FIG. 9.

The invention relates to pools arrangements 1, preferably filled with water, with at least one first pool 10 embodied in the form of a swimming pool 11 and having a first side wall 12, a first bottom 13 and a first pool edge 14, and with at least one second pool 20 embodied in the form of a filtering pool 21 and having a second side wall 22, a second bottom 23 and a second pool edge 24, the at least one swimming pool 11 and the at least one filtering pool 21 having no common water level 2. The water levels 2 of the various pools 10, 20 may have a common water level 2 but the water levels 2 of the various pools 10, 20 do not communicate directly.

Such type pools arrangements 1 have the advantage that connections are thus provided between swimming pool 11 and filtering pool 21 that make it possible, by separating the filtering pool 21 from the swimming pool 11 without common water surface 2, to operate the filtering pool 21 in winter without having to concurrently also protect the swimming pool 11 from freezing over. As a result, a biological filter 50 can be kept alive throughout winter with little energy expense.

The term “water” is understood to refer to the naturally occurring substance mixed with biological excretion products (such as urine), dissolved chemicals (such as acids), dissolved gases (such as oxygen) and minerals (such as salt), microorganisms (such as plankton, bacteria, insects), algae and many other things, and not only the pure chemical compound H₂O.

The pools arrangements 1 of the invention are pools 10, 20 that are artificially sealed from the environment. This sealing may be achieved by means of a water-tight foil for example, which is laid in the bottom; at least one of the pools may be configured to be a swimming pond. The pools 10, 20 provided may also be made from plastic material, from composite material, from metal (Nirosta), concrete or stone.

In the preferred embodiments of pools arrangements 1 of the invention, a filtering pool 21 is disposed in the surroundings of a swimming pool 11, both pools communicating. There may be provided both more than one swimming pool 11 and more than one filtering pool 21, all the pools being combined into one pools arrangement 1. A plurality of filtering pools 21 may be disposed around one swimming pool 11 or may be connected to one swimming pool 11 at different locations. This allows ensuring particularly advantageous cleaning of the water of a wide swimming pool 11.

In the preferred embodiments of pools arrangements 1 of the invention, the filtering pool(s) 21 belonging to one or a plurality of swimming pools 11 have a total base area in the range of between 10% and 50% of the total base area of the swimming pools 11, preferably in the range between 15% and 35% of the total base area of the swimming pools 11, more specifically in the range between 20% and 30% of the total base area of the swimming pools 11, mainly a total base area of about 25% of the total base area of the swimming pool(s) 11.

Accordingly, in a pools arrangement 1 with at least one swimming pool 11 having a total base area of 40 m², the at least one filtering pool 21 has a preferred total base area of 10 m². The filtering pool 21 size needed for cleaning a swimming pool 11 is thereby mainly obtained from the base area of the swimming pool 11 and less from the volume of the swimming pool 11, or from the number of bathers.

Pools arrangements 1 of the invention are intended for use as swimming pools 11, mainly as swimming pools 11 or ponds that are cleaned or clarified biologically. For this purpose, it is provided that the filtering pool 21 comprises a filter body 51, said filter body 51 comprising a biological filter medium, preferably a granular filter medium, more particularly zeolite. A biological filter medium generally acts as a carrier substance for bacteria, which digest the impurities contained in the surrounding water, thus cleaning it. A granular filter medium has the advantage of having, related to the volume required, a very large surface for bacteria to settle down. If a suited filter medium is used, what is referred to as a biological film or a bacterial lawn, is formed. Typically, stone granules of graded granulometry are used as the filter medium. Small plastic balls may also be used as the filter medium, though. The use of zeolite as the filter medium has been found to be particularly advantageous. Zeolite favors the settling down of a bacterial lawn in a particularly advantageous way.

The filter medium is disposed in the filter body 51. A filter body 51 preferably has the shape of a tub or trough which is open toward the top and comprises the filter medium as well as a number of orifices such as water supply orifices for example. Such type orifices are preferably disposed in the lower portion of the filter body 51, more specifically in the bottom of the filter body 51.

Beside the fact that granular filter media have high surfaces, they also allow very good through flow. Water supplied, particularly under pressure, to the filter body 51 at one point readily passes therethrough, spreading thereby and coming into contact with the bacterial lawn.

In a preferred embodiment of a pools arrangement 1 of the invention having a swimming pool 11 and a filtering pool 21, the thickness of the filter medium in the filter body 51 is of up to one meter, with the thickness of the filter medium in the filter body 51 ranging preferably between 15 cm and 70 cm, the particularly preferred thickness of the filter medium in the filter body 51 ranging between 30 cm and 50 cm, and the most preferred thickness of the filter medium in the filter body 51 being about 40 cm.

Pools arrangements 1 of the invention comprise means for drawing 30 the water and means for supplying 31 the drawn water. In the preferred embodiments, the means for drawing 30 the water and means for supplying 31 the drawn water are formed by at least one pump 35, 39. In accordance with the invention, any type of pump 35, 39 such as piston pumps, radial, axial or tangential compressor pumps may be provided for this purpose. What are referred to as centrifugal pumps are preferably used. The at least one pump 35, 39 may further be disposed as a submersible pump inside one pool 10, 20 or outside the pools 10, 20. In the preferred embodiments there is provided that the at least one pump 35, 39 be operated electrically. There may however be provided—in remote locations in particular—that the pump 35, 39 be operated by means of an internal combustion engine, or by means of a water wheel or wind wheel. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided that the means for drawing 30 the water and the means for supplying 31 the drawn water be operated with only one pump 35, 39. There may however be provided a plurality of pumps 35, for example when drawing and/or supplying water at more than one point, by providing one pump 35, 39 for each drawing or supplying branch.

The water is thereby drawn beneath the lowest level of the first pool edge 14 or of the second pool edge 24. Preferably by a suction device referred to as a skimmer 38. Such a skimmer 38 may be formed both by a suction device provided on a surface float and by a flap in the first 12 or the second side wall 22 for example. Any other location of the water discharge orifice 32 may be provided, though. For example by disposing a tube at one point of a pool 10, 20.

There is provided that the at least one water discharge orifice 32 be disposed in the swimming pool 11 and/or that the at least one water discharge orifice 32 be disposed in the filtering pool 21. There is further provided that the at least one water supply orifice 33 for supplying at least one portion of the drawn water be disposed in the region of a filter body 51 disposed in the filtering pool 21, more specifically in the lower region of the filter body 51, preferably in the region of the bottom of the filter body 51, and/or that the at least one water supply opening 33 for supplying at least one portion of the drawn water be disposed in the swimming pool 11.

The FIGS. 1 and 2 show different embodiments of a pools arrangement 1, preferably filled with water, with at least one first pool 10 embodied in the form of a swimming pool 11 and having a first side wall 12, a first bottom 13 and a first pool edge 14, and with at least one second pool 20 embodied in the form of a filtering pool 21 and having a second side wall 22, a second bottom 23 and a second pool edge 24, at least one of the pools 10, 20 having at least one water discharge orifice 32 and at least one of the pools 10, 20 having at least one water supply orifice 33, the at least one swimming pool 11 and the at least one filtering pool 21 being connected with at least one connecting device 40, said connecting device 40 having no delivering means 34 such as pumps 35, 39 or suction devices in particular, and comprising at least one first orifice 15 disposed in the first side wall 12, the at least one swimming pool 11 and the at least one filtering pool 21 being configured to be vessels communicating by means of the connecting device 40 and being intended to be filled to the same level with water surfaces 2.

As a result, different water levels 2 can be equalized in the diverse pools 10, 20. Such differences occur for example after a long period of drought or after heavy rainfalls.

Preferably, the first orifice 15 is disposed in the first side wall 12, beneath the lowest level thereof. As a result, it is ensured that no water will flow out of one of the pools 10, 20 through an overflow located somewhere else.

It is provided that the swimming pools 11 and the filtering pools 21 comply with the constructional features, that the at least one connecting device 40 comprises at least one second orifice 25 disposed in the filtering pool 21, said first orifice 15 lying beneath the lowest level of the second pool edge 24 and the second orifice 25 lying beneath the lowest level of the first pool edge 14. There may be provided that the at least one swimming pool 11 and the at least one filtering pool 21 be spaced any distance apart. Depending on the preferred application, there may be provided to dispose the filtering pool 21 a great distance apart from the swimming pool 11 in order to fully use the area around the swimming pool 11 as a sunbathing area or as a sports area or to dispose the filtering pool 21 next to the swimming pool 11, when the space is limited for example.

Depending on the distance to be bridged between the pools 10, 20, there is provided that the connecting device 40 be configured to be a connecting tube 41 and/or a passageway 42. It should be noted that any number of connecting tubes 41 and/or passageways 42 may be provided for connecting a swimming pool 11 and a filtering pool 21. The dimensions or the cross section of the connecting devices 40 is only limited by the dimensions of the side walls 12, 22. In the preferred embodiments, the connecting tube 41 and/or the passageway 42 have a cross section of from 10 cm² to 500 cm², preferably of from 30 cm² to 350 cm², more specifically of from 50 cm² to 200 cm².

In the preferred embodiments, the connecting tube 41 extends horizontally between the swimming pool 11 and the filtering pool 21. There may be provided that the connecting tube 41 has ascending slopes, downward slopes and/or curvatures.

Preferably, the connecting device 40 comprises at least one sealing means 43. As a result, the filtering pool 21 can be readily separated from the swimming pool 11. By separating the filtering pool 21 from the swimming pool 11, the filtering pool 21 may be kept alive by means of special winter operation even at low ambient temperatures.

There may be provided that the first orifice 15 is disposed anywhere in the first pool wall 14, preferably at more than 10%, preferably at more than 30%, more specifically at more than 50%, mainly at more than 70% of the vertical distance between the lowest level of the first pool edge 14 and the lowest level of the first bottom 13 above the lowest level of the first bottom 13. It is thus possible to separate the swimming pool 11 from the filtering pool 21 by draining a certain quantity of water insofar as the connecting device 40 does not comprise any sealing means 43.

In the embodiments shown in the FIGS. 1 and 2, the water is drawn from the swimming pool 11 by means of a swimming pool pump 39 and supplied to the filtering pool 21, preferably in the region of the bottom of the filter body 51. The cleaned water returns to the swimming pool 11 by flowing through the passageway 42. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 additionally has in the filtering pool 21 a water discharge orifice 32 that is connected to the water supply orifice 33 in the filtering pool 21 by means of a filtering pool pump 35. This device is provided for winter operation of the filtering pool 21.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a pools arrangement 1, preferably filled with water, with at least one first pool 10 embodied in the form of a swimming pool 11 and having a first side wall 12, a first bottom 13 and a first pool edge 14, and with at least one second pool 20 embodied in the form of a filtering pool 21 and having a second side wall 22, a second bottom 23 and a second pool edge 24, at least one of the pools 10, 20 having at least one water discharge orifice 32 and at least one of the pools 10, 20 having at least one water supply orifice 33, the at least one swimming pool 11 being disposed adjacent the at least one filtering pool 21, the highest area of the first pool edge 14 lying substantially on the same level as the highest area of the second pool edge 24, or one of the pools 10, 20 being surrounded by another one of the pools 20, 10, said swimming pool 11 comprising an overflow system 44 toward the filtering pool 21 and/or the filtering pool 21 comprising an overflow system 44 toward the swimming pool 11, each of the water discharge openings 32 being disposed beneath the lowest region of the overflow system 44.

Due to the corresponding arrangement, the at least one swimming pool 11 and the at least one filtering pool 21 have different water surfaces 2 with different levels. By stopping the water supply into one of the pools 10, 20, water no longer flows through the overflow system 40.

The adjacent implementation of a pools arrangement 1 of the invention may be realized with any type of pools 10, 20; separate pools 10, 20, but also one pool, preferably a monolithic pool 46 that is partitioned into a plurality of pools 10, 20 by at least one partition wall 47, may thereby be provided. There is provided that at one point they have a common pool edge 14, 24 that is configured to be an overflow system 44. It is thereby advantageous if the pool edges 14, 24 have a lower level in the region where they touch each other than in the surrounding regions thereof 14, 24. There is provided that the highest region of the first pool edge 14 and the highest region of the second pool edge 24 lie on approximately the same level. As a result, it is possible to aesthetically and harmonically integrate the pools 10, 20 in the landscape. Further, the common pool edge 14, 24 favors the arrangement of a common cover 52 for covering the swimming pool 11 as well as the filtering pool 21.

There may be provided to arrange a mechanical filter 45 in the region of the overflow system 44. Such a filter 45 may be provided in order to keep away from the swimming pool or from the filtering pool impurities potentially present on the surface 2 of the water, such as leaves or dead insects. Such a filter 45 can be formed by a sieve.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the water is drawn from the filtering pool 21 in the region of the second bottom 23 and supplied to the swimming pool 11. By flowing over the overflow system 44, the water flows back into the filtering pool 21.

There may however also be provided to draw the water from the swimming pool 11 and to supply it to the filtering pool 21, the water then flowing from the filtering pool 21 into the swimming pool 11 through the one overflow system 44.

There may also be provided that the overflow system 44 be formed by a locally open-edged breach in the pool edge 14, 24, which in parts is the same. Such an open-edged breach may have the preferred cross sections of a connecting device 40 and is provided for being locked using a sealing means. Such a sealing means may be formed by an insert mating the breach. Such a breach preferably has a cross section in the shape of a circular segment, of a triangle, of a trapeze or of a rectangle.

The FIGS. 7 to 10 further show embodiments of pools arrangements 1 of the invention as set forth in claim 6. One of the pools 10, 20 is thereby disposed in the other pool 20, 10, the inner pool 10, 20 being completely enclosed by the outer pool 20, 10.

The FIGS. 7 and 8 show an arrangement in which a filtering pool 21 is disposed within a swimming pool 11. The entire second pool edge 24 is configured to be an overflow system. The advantage thereof is that water flows particularly well and uniformly through the filtering body since it flows uniformly from all sides into the filtering pool 21, where it is drawn in the region of the second floor. In a preferred arrangement, the filtering pool 21 is disposed centrally within the swimming pool 11. Another advantage is that the entire outer edge of the pools arrangement 1 is formed by the first pool edge. The embodiment shown in the FIGS. 7 and 8 may preferably have a cover for the filtering pool 21.

The FIGS. 9 and 10 show another embodiment of pools 10, 20 that are disposed one inside the other, the swimming pool 11 being completely enclosed by the filtering pool 21. The filtering pool has a lower water level than the swimming pool and the entire first pool edge 14 is configured to be an overflow system 44 from the swimming pool to the filtering pool 21. The filtering pool 21 is closed by a grid cover, which is quite usual with swimming pools 11. Compared to conventional arrangements with overflow gutters 44 collecting the overflowing water and leading it to a filtering pool 21, this arrangement has the advantage that it does not need the additional pipelines needed to transport the water to a filtering pool 21. Such an arrangement also has the advantages of a particularly good flow through the filter body 51 and of a particularly efficient because uniform suction of the surface. There may be provided that the second pool edge 24 is only spaced a small distance apart from the first pool edge 14 in the region of the cover 52 and that the filtering pool 21 widens toward the bottom in order to have the preferred 25% of the base area of the swimming pool 11 at the water surface 2 of the filtering pool 21. In this way it is possible to discretely integrate a filtering pool into a swimming pool arrangement.

The arrangements according to the FIGS. 7 through 10 may be configured to have both round and angular basic forms, with the swimming pools 11 and the filtering pools 21 not having to have the same cross sectional shape. Any site can be chosen for arranging the one pool 10, 20 inside the other pool 20, 10. In the preferred embodiments, there is provided to dispose the pools 10, 20 concentrically.

The FIGS. 2 and 5 show a pools arrangement 1, preferably filled with water, with at least one first pool 10 embodied in the form of a swimming pool 11 and having a first side wall 12, a first bottom 13 and a first pool edge 14, and with at least one second pool 20 embodied in the form of a filtering pool 21 and having a second side wall 22, a second bottom 23 and a second pool edge 24, at least one of the pools 10, 20 having at least one water discharge orifice 32 and at least one of the pools 10, 20 having at least one water supply orifice 33, said at least one filtering pool 21 comprising at least one water discharge orifice 32 and at least one water supply orifice 33, said water discharge orifice 32 and said water supply orifice 33 being connected together and spaced apart and the water discharge orifice 32 and the water supply orifice 33 being part of a circuit only concerning the water of the filtering pool 21, there being provided to combine these features and the following with the features of the embodiments of pools arrangements 1 described herein above. FIG. 4 shows a corresponding filtering pool 21 with two alternative arrangements of the communicating water supply orifice 33 and water discharge orifice 32.

A major advantage of the arrangements shown in the FIGS. 3 through 5 is the simple and low-cost realization of what is referred to as winter operation of the filtering pool 21 of a pools arrangement 1.

In the preferred embodiment, there is provided that the communicating and spaced-apart water discharge orifice 32 and water supply orifice 33 form a water circuit only concerning the filtering pool 21 and independent of the water circuit of the swimming pool 11, it being preferably provided not to draw the water from the water circuit of the filtering pool and to supply it to the filtering pool 21 by means of the swimming pool pump 39 but by means of a separate filtering pool pump 35. This saves energy since the filtering pool pump 35 may be configured to be much smaller than the swimming pool pump 39.

The cold resistance of bacteria and microorganisms contained in a biological filter 50 is limited. Although they produce a certain amount of heat through their activity, this generally will not suffice to prevent the filtering pool 21 from freezing over. Since it is not possible to simply switch on an ecosystem such as a biological filter 50, it is important to prevent it from being damaged by cold. Since the swimming pool 11 is not part of the biological filter 50, it may freeze over in winter or be drained before winter.

In the embodiments shown in the FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the water in the filtering pool 21 is drawn by means of the filtering pool pump 35 and supplied to the filtering pool 21. Alternatively, it may be provided to supply part of the water to the swimming pool 11 like in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. If supplied to the swimming pool 11, the water returns to the filtering pool 21 by flowing either over the overflow system 44 or, in the case of existing opened sealing means 43, through the passageway 42. There may be provided a manifold 37 for controlling or regulating the distribution of the delivered water among the swimming pool 11 and the filtering pool 21. As a result, it is possible to stop water supply into the swimming pool 11. In this configuration, the sealing means 43 in the passageway 42 is preferably closed. There may be provided that the embodiments of a pools arrangement 1 shown in the FIGS. 2 and 4 also comprise means for supplying 31 the water to the swimming pool 11. In the FIGS. 2 and 4 they were omitted for increased clarity. FIG. 4 shows two different arrangements of the means for drawing 30 the water and of the water discharge orifice 32 and means for supplying 31 the drawn water as well as of the water supply orifice 33.

There may be provided that at least one water discharge orifice 32, which is connected to the at least one water supply orifice 33 of the filtering pool 21, is disposed in the upper half of the filtering pool 21, preferably in the upper third of the filtering pool 21, more specifically directly beneath the water surface 2 and that the at least one water supply orifice 33, which is connected to the at least one water discharge orifice 32 of the filtering pool 21, is disposed in the region of a filter body 51 disposed in the filtering pool 21, more specifically in the lower region of the filter body 51, preferably in the region of the bottom of the filter body 51. This results in a good through flow through the filter body 51.

The communicating water discharge orifice 32 and/or water supply orifice 33 are preferably formed by orifices in the second side wall 22. As a result, they remain free from sediments.

In a first arrangement, the water is drawn by a submersible pump 36 immersed in the filtering pool 21 and is supplied through a feed pipe to the filter body 51 disposed in the filtering pool 21, more specifically to the lower region of the filter body 51. There may be provided that the submersible pump 36 be disposed in the upper region of the filtering pool 21, preferably in the upper region of the filter body 51, more specifically directly at the upper end of the filtering body 51.

In a second arrangement that has not been illustrated, the submersible pump 36 is disposed in the region of a shaft 53 disposed in the filtering pool 21, more specifically in the region of the filter body 51. The water is supplied analogous to the first arrangement.

In a third arrangement of the means for drawing 30 the water as well as of the water discharge orifice 32 and of the means for supplying 31 the drawn water and the water supply orifice 33 in the filtering pool 21, the water is drawn in the region of the shaft 53, preferably in the lower region of the shaft 53, in particular in the region of the bottom of the shaft 53, more specifically a few centimeters above the bottom of the shaft 53, through an opening in the wall. The water is supplied analogous to the first arrangement.

There may be provided that the filtering pool 21 comprises a cover 52. There may further be provided that the at least one swimming pool 11 and the at least one filtering pool 21 have a common cover 52 and/or roofing. This makes it possible to keep away undesired external influences, not only in winter. In summer for example, the filtering pool 21 may thus be protected against excess evaporation or, in case of heavy rainfalls, from overflow into the swimming pool 11. There may also be provided to cover the filtering pool 21 for protecting it against impurities through foreign matter such as cigarettes or waste. There may further be provided to provide a cover, for example in the form of a grid, for preventing persons and animals from walking onto the filtering pool, thus destroying the biological filter 50. Preferably, covering 52 the filtering pool 21 serves to protect the filtering pool 21 from cold and winter precipitations. Corresponding arrangement means 56 may be provided for arranging the cover 21 on the filtering pool. Said means may for example be formed by a projection 57 surrounding partially or completely the filtering pool 21, as shown in FIG. 5. There may be provided to largely seal the filtering pool 21 by means of the cover 52 so that water is prevented from penetrating into the filtering pool 21 even if water flows over from the swimming pool 11 or from the surroundings. As a result, the filtering pool 21 can be protected from flooding in case of heavy and long lasting rainfalls.

There may further be provided that the filtering pool 21 comprises a heating element 54 and/or a heat exchanger 55. In the simplest implementation, such a heating element 54 can be realized by a limited performance immersion heater. There may be provided to dispose a heat exchanger 55 in the filtering pool 21, especially in the event of an existing low-cost heat source such as a geological heat source or long distance heating. An advantage is obtained in disposing a heat source in the shaft 53, since this allows keeping too high local temperatures away from the biological filter 50.

For what is termed winter operation, accordingly for operation of a pools arrangement 1 comprising at least one swimming pool 11 and at least one filtering pool 21, preferably as set forth in any one of the claims 1 through 24, at ambient and/or water temperatures of less than 10° C., preferably of less than 6° C., more specifically of less than 3° C., most preferably of less than 0° C., the water exchange between the at least one swimming pool 11 and the at least one filtering pool 21 is stopped so that a circuit is formed which concerns the water of the filtering pool 21 only and the water in the filtering pool 21 is circulated. For circulation, there may be provided a separate filtering pool pump for only circulating the water in the filtering pool and not in the swimming pool, said separate pump being smaller, needing less current and being lower in cost in terms of acquisition and operation.

For this purpose, it is necessary to seal the possibly existing connecting device 40 by means of the sealing means 43 and to further seal off the swimming pool 11 from the water supply and discharge by means of the manifold 37. In this condition, in which the swimming pool 11 is separated from the filtering pool 21, the swimming pool may be drained. As already mentioned, the filtering pool 21 can be protected against environmental impact by covering it. Heat may be supplied to the filtering pool 21 by means of a heating element 54 disposed in the filtering pool 21. Depending on the weather, the filtering pool 21 may be both covered and heated by means of the heating element 54. There may also be provided to only utilize one of these means, meaning to either cover or heat the filtering pool 21. Now, the water in the filtering pool 21 is circulated in a close circuit, so that a constant water circuit is maintained throughout winter as shown in the FIGS. 4 and 5 for the bacteriological cultures in the biological filter 50 to remain alive.

There may be further provided to supply heat to the water of the water circuit only concerning the filtering pool 21 by means of a heat source such as a heat exchanger 55 or a heating element 54. This heat source may be disposed anywhere both on the filtering pool 21 and in the circulation circuit, for example in the pipelines between the water discharge orifice 32 and the water supply orifice 33.

By isolating the swimming pool 11 from the water circuit of the filtering pool 21, the filtering pool 21 can continue to operate, irrespective of the swimming pool 11. This may also be helpful when the swimming pool 11 is subjected to particular contamination such as through oil, poison or feces from a cesspool. In this event, the filtering pool 21 may be sealed and isolated from the swimming pool 11. The swimming pool 11 may then be cleaned and refilled.

All the embodiments of pools arrangements 1 of the invention disclosed may find application both with discrete free-standing and/or sunken communicating pools 10, 20 and with what are referred to as monolithic pools 46, which mainly consist of one piece and are partitioned by at least one partition wall 47 into at least one swimming pool 11 and at least one filtering pool 21.

Any combination of all of the features disclosed in the claims and in the specification may be provided. 

1.-27. (canceled)
 28. A pools arrangement (1), preferably filled with water, with at least one first pool (10) embodied in the form of a swimming pool (11) and having a first side wall (12), a first bottom (13) and a first pool edge (14), and with at least one second pool (20) embodied in the form of a filtering pool (21) and having a second side wall (22), a second bottom (23) and a second pool edge (24), at least one of said pools (10, 20) having at least one water discharge orifice (32) or overflow system and at least one of said pools (10, 20) having at least one water supply orifice (33), said at least one swimming pool (11), said at least one filtering pool (21) and/or the overflow system being connected to at least one connecting device (40), said connecting device (40) having no delivering means (34) such as pumps (35, 39) or suction devices in particular, said at least one swimming pool (11) and said at least one filtering pool (21) being configured to be vessels communicating by means of said connecting device (40) and being intended to be filled with water surfaces (2) having the same level, characterized in that said connecting device (40) comprises at least one sealing means (43).
 29. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in claim 28, characterized in that the connecting device (40) comprises at least one first orifice (15) and that said first orifice (15) is disposed in the first side wall (12).
 30. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in claim 28 or 29, characterized in that the at least one connecting device (40) comprises at least one second orifice (25) disposed in the filtering pool (21), said first orifice (15) lying beneath the lowest level of the second pool edge (24) and said second orifice (25), beneath the lowest level of the first pool edge (14).
 31. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in claim 28, 29 or 30, characterized in that the first orifice (15) is disposed above the lowest level of the first bottom (13), at more than 10%, preferably more than 30%, more specifically more than 50%, above all more than 70% of the vertical distance between the lowest level of the first pool edge (14) and the lowest level of the first bottom (13).
 32. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in any one of the claims 28 through 31, characterized in that the connecting device (40) is configured to be a connecting pipe (41) and/or a passageway (42).
 33. A pools arrangement (1), preferably filled with water, with at least one first pool (10) embodied in the form of a swimming pool (11) and having a first side wall (12), a first bottom (13) and a first pool edge (14), and with at least one second pool (20) embodied in the form of a filtering pool (21) and having a second side wall (22), a second bottom (23) and a second pool edge (24), at least one of said pools (10, 20) having at least one water discharge orifice (32) and at least one of said pools (10, 20) having at least one water supply orifice (33), characterized in that said at least one swimming pool (11) is disposed adjacent said at least one filtering pool (21), the highest region of said first pool edge (14) being substantially on the same level as the highest region of said second pool edge (24), or that one of said pools (10, 20) is surrounded by another one of said pools (20, 10), said swimming pool (11) comprising an overflow system (44) into the filtering pool (21) and/or said filtering pool (21) comprising an overflow system (44) into said swimming pool (11), each of said water discharge orifices (32) being disposed beneath the lowest region of said overflow system (44).
 34. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in claim 33, characterized in that a mechanical filter (45), preferably a sieve, is associated with the overflow system (44).
 35. A pools arrangement (1), preferably filled with water, with at least one first pool (10) embodied in the form of a swimming pool (11) and having a first side wall (12), a first bottom (13) and a first pool edge (14), and with at least one second pool (20) embodied in the form of a filtering pool (21) and having a second side wall (22), a second bottom (23) and a second pool edge (24), at least one of said pools (10, 20) having at least one water discharge orifice (32) and at least one of said pools (10, 20) having at least one water supply orifice (33), said at least one filtering pool (21) comprising at least one water discharge orifice (32) and at least one water supply orifice (33), said water discharge orifice (32) and said water supply orifice being connected together and spaced apart, characterized in that said water discharge orifice (32) and said water supply orifice (33) are part of a circuit only concerning the water of said filtering pool (21).
 36. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in claim 35, characterized in that the at least one swimming pool (11) and the at least one filtering pool (21) are connected to at least one connecting device (40), said connecting device (40) having no delivering means (34) such as pumps (35, 39) or suction devices in particular, said at least one swimming pool (11) and said at least one filtering pool (21) being configured to be vessels communicating by means of said connecting device (40) and being intended to be filled with water surfaces (2) having the same level.
 37. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in the claims 35 or 36, characterized in that the at least one swimming pool (11) is disposed adjacent the at least one filtering pool (21), the highest region of the first pool edge (14) being substantially on the same level as the highest region of the second pool edge (24), or that one of the pools (10, 20) is surrounded by another one of the pools (20, 10), said swimming pool (11) comprising an overflow system (44) into said filtering pool (21) and/or said filtering pool (21) comprising an overflow system (44) into said swimming pool (11), each of said water discharge orifices (32) being disposed beneath the lowest region of said overflow system (44).
 38. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in any one of the claims 35 through 37, characterized in that the at least one water discharge orifice (32), which is connected to the at least one water supply orifice (33) of the filtering pool (21), is disposed in the upper half of said filtering pool (21), preferably in the upper third of said filtering pool (21), more specifically directly beneath the water surface (2).
 39. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in any one of the claims 35 through 38, characterized in that the at least one water supply orifice (33), which is connected to the at least one water discharge orifice (32) of the filtering pool (21), is disposed in the region of a filter body (51) disposed in said filtering pool (21), more specifically in the lower part of said filter body (51), preferably in the region of the bottom of said filter body (51).
 40. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in any one of the claims 35 through 39, characterized in that the water discharge orifice (32) and/or the water supply orifice (33), which are communicating together, are formed by orifices in the second side wall (22).
 41. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in any one of the claims 35 through 40, characterized in that at least one filtering pool pump (35) is associated with the communicating water discharge orifice (32) and water supply orifice (33), said filtering pool pump (35) being provided for forming a water circuit concerning the filtering pool (21) only.
 42. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in claim 41, characterized in that the filtering pool pump (35) is disposed in the filtering pool (21).
 43. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in any one of the claims 35 through 42, characterized in that the filtering pool (21) comprises a cover (52).
 44. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in any one of the claims 35 through 43, characterized in that a shaft (53) forming an additional hollow space is disposed in the filtering pool (21).
 45. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in any one of the claims 35 through 44, characterized in that the filtering pool (21) or the communicating water discharge (32) and supply orifices (33) comprise a heating element (54) and/or a heat exchanger (55).
 46. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in any one of the claims 28 through 45, characterized in that means for drawing (30) the water from the filtering pool (21) and/or from the swimming pool (11) and means for supplying (31) the drawn water to said filtering pool (21) and/or said swimming pool (11) are provided.
 47. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in any one of the claims 28 through 46, characterized in that the at least one water discharge orifice (32) is disposed in the first side wall (12) and/or the second side wall (22).
 48. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in any one of the claims 28 through 47, characterized in that the at least one water supply orifice (33) is disposed in the first side wall (12) and/or the second side wall (22).
 49. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in any one of the claims 28 through 48, characterized in that the means for drawing (30) the water and/or the means for supplying (31) the drawn water comprise at least one swimming pool pump (39).
 50. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in any one of the claims 28 through 49, characterized in that at least two adjacent pools (10, 20), preferably one swimming pool (10) and one filtering pool (20), are disposed together in a monolithic pool (46), at least one partition wall (47) being interposed between said pools (10, 20).
 51. The pools arrangement (1) as set forth in any one of the claims 28 through 50, characterized in that the at least one swimming pool (11) and the at least one filtering pool (21) have a common cover (52) and/or a common roofing.
 52. A method of operating a pools arrangement (1) filled with water, comprising at least one swimming pool (11) and at least one filtering pool (21), preferably as set forth in any one of the claims 28 through 51, at ambient and/or water temperatures in at least one of the pools (10, 20) of less than 10° C., preferably of less than 6° C., more specifically of less than 3° C., mainly of less than 0° C., characterized in that the exchange of water between said at least one swimming pool (11) and said at least one filtering pool (21) is stopped, more specifically by means of a sealing means (43), that a circuit is formed that only concerns the water of said filtering pool (21) and that the water is circulated in said filtering pool (21).
 53. The method of operating a pools arrangement (1) filled with water as set forth in claim 52, characterized in that heat is supplied to the water in the filtering pool (21) and/or to the water in the circuit concerning the filtering pool (21). 